The leathery, narrow leaves are very small, about 1/10 of an inch wide and 3/8 of an inch long, and generally spaced close together on the twigs. The top surface of the leaves is dark green and the lower surface is light green to white with conspicuous veins.

The white flowers are have the shape of a 5-pointed star and are about 1/8 inch in diameter. They occur as single flowers or in small clusters in the leaf axils. The flowers can be either perfect (having both male and female parts) or they can be unisexual. When the flowers are unisexual, the male and female flowers occur on separate plants. (Lamb 1981; Wagner 1990)

Styphelia tameiameiae is a difficult species to grow from seed. Germination rates are very low and the seedlings are slow growing. The seeds have to be removed from the pulp. One approach recommended by Stratton's informants is to gently crack the fruit with a hammer. The seeds need to be removed from the fruit and soaked in vinegar for 20 minutes. After this, the seeds are soaked in 120 degree F water for 2 hours.

The other procedure suggested in Stratton et al is to ripen the fruits in a plastic bag. This softens the pulp making the seeds easier to clean. After ripening, the fruit flesh is removed by either placing the fruits in a fine strainer under running water or breaking up the fruit by hand in a bowl of water. The lighter pulp floats and can be poured off. The seeds should then be soaked either in hot water for a few hours or in room temperature water for 24 to 48 hours. After soaking, the seeds are placed in 5% acetic acid (vinegar) for 5 minutes and then rinsed thoroughly.

The treated seeds should be planted 1/8 to 1/2 inch deep in a shallow container. Use a well-drained planting medium such as a mixture of 3 parts #2 perlite to 1 part Sunshine Mix #4 or 1 part peat to 1 part perlite to 1 part cinder. Keep the planting medium moist and place the containers in a shaded area. Placing them in a covered area will allow better control of soil moisture and prevent rain damage. After germination, gradually acclimatize the seedlings to full sun.

Even with these treatments, germination time ranges from 1 to 6 months with a 50% germination rate. Untreated seeds have a germination time of 4 to 9 months and a very low germination rate.

Best germination is obtained using fresh seed. Stratton suggests that if it is necessary to store the seed, it should be cleaned, air dried and placed in a paper bag or envelope. It can then be stored in an airtight container with dessicant in a cool place at 25% relative humidity, or in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Criley examined the embryos in seeds of Styphelia tameiameiae to determine if immature embryos were a reason for difficult germination. However, he found that the embryos were developed in mature fruit. Criley also noted that Ted Radovich had successfully cultured Styphelia tameiameiae seed aseptically. Criley 1999; Lamb 1981; Stratton 1998; Wagner 1990)

Lamb, Samuel H. 1981. Native trees and shrubs of the Hawaiian Islands. Santa Fe, New Mexico: Sunstone Press. p. 104-105.

Stratton, Lisa, Leslie Hudson, Nova Suenaga, and Barrie Morgan. 1998. Overview of Hawaiian dry forest propagation techniques. Newsletter of the Hawaiian Botanical Society 37 (2):13, 15-27.

Wagner, Warren L., Darrel R. Herbst, and S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawai'i. 2 vols., Bishop Museum Special Publication 83. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press and Bishop Museum Press. p. 590-591.